October 25, 2025
21 Year-Old Pedestrian Killed By Train Near Downtown Clayton
CLAYTON – For the second time in less than two months, a pedestrian died after being struck by a passing train near Downtown Clayton. The fatal accident occurred Tuesday afternoon, involving an Amtrak Carolinian train.
The train, which was carrying 196 passengers, was approaching its next stop in Raleigh when the incident occurred between two operational railroad crossings.
Clayton Police said the victim, 21 year-old Ellaryan Marie Miller of Wendell, was struck in an area not designated for pedestrian access.
Investigators determined that Ms. Miller was leaving her summer job on Main Street in Clayton around 5:00 p.m. and was walking to her vehicle parked in a parking lot on Front Street.
Miller crossed the railroad tracks on foot and stepped in front of Amtrak train #79 which was traveling west. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Miller was a student at UNC-Wilmington and was doing a summer internship in Clayton.
Clayton Police Chief Greg Tart stated there is no indication this was intentional and evidence points to this being a very tragic accident.
The train was held at the scene for approximately 90 minutes before continuing its journey.
On June 20, a pedestrian was struck by a train not far from Tuesday’s fatal mishap.
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This story has been updated
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10 Comments
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Could it be because several years ago the Town decided to close several RR crossings in that area, stating that they weren’t going to put in the connector from the post office to 42 east. Well they put in the connector and removed the crossing’s that would have been safer for pedestrians. Go Figure!!!!!
First thing I thought about as well.
Walking across a railroad track is hazardous and, in most places, not legal. If you are going to take that chance, you better have very good situational awareness. The town had nothing to do with her decision to take that chance and the town had no additional responsibility.
You are correct the Town had nothing to do with her decision to cross the RR tracks. But the town did make the decision to close the RR crossings removing a safer way to cross the RR tracks. By closing the crossing’s, the residents in that area have to travel 1/2 a mile to get to a RR crossings there use to be crossing’s in the middle of this area.
I pray for the surviving family members but have to wonder how the victim couldn’t see or hear a train? I can hear it from my house 5 miles away. Possibly distracted…phone? Also if she was coming from Main Street to front street she wouldn’t have needed to cross the tracks.
From what I understand her car was parked in the lot on the other side of the tracks behind her work. But that is just hear say. I was wondering the same thing until someone mentioned that to me. This is just so so sad!!
My heart and prayers go out to this beautiful, precious young lady’s family, friends, and her summer-job internship family. I didn’t know you sweet girl but I’m seeing through articles that you were diligent in pursuing your college and business entrepreneurship dreams. Seems you were really involved in life!!! Now, you dance amongst the Angels in Heaven. ♥️.
And for our first responders, Fire, Rescue, Law Enforcement….our little Town of Clayton is the best when it comes to our teams of Emergency Services. Although you rush in to save lives, attempt to save lives, I know it must be quite mentally taxing to repeatedly observe, witness sad outcomes like this tragedy. I pray you have wonderful support systems at home, work, and the community because your jobs are not easy nor envied. I know I personally thank each and everyone of you for all you do. God bless you all and this sweet young lady and her family. Your light was shining on earth….now it will glow even brighter from Heaven. ♥️
Good luck getting rail to make any improvements. They except that lives will be lost to interstate commerce.
I live 5 miles from those tracks and I can hear the trains. She had to hear it and feel the vibrations of it approaching. Condolences to her family.
I feel so bad for her family. A young life lost. I have a feeling she had on headphones, walking with her head down looking at her phone. I see so many people doing this..